Ficus

Family

Moraceae

Botanical Name

Ficus

Plant Common Name

Fig

General Description

The genus Ficus is huge, containing more than 1000 species. Figs are generally warm-weather plants, worldwide in distribution with most species found in tropical, subtropical and occasionally temperate regions of Asia. Extremely variable in form, these plants may be evergreen or deciduous and either trees, shrubs, climbers, stranglers or occasionally woody epiphytes (tree-dwellers). All exude a milky sap when broken, cut or injured, which may irritate the skin of some people.

As variable as the plants in form, fig leaves are generally held alternately on the stems, occasionally appearing in opposite pairs. Foliage may be entire, simple or lobed and either smooth and waxy or fuzzy, sometimes with toothed edges. Some species produce woody aerial roots which enlarge to become additional tree trunks once they anchor in the ground, effectively spreading a single specimen across a broad area. The stems sometimes bear conspicuous pores called lenticels.

Generally consistent among species, the tiny, distinctive flowers of figs are borne inside a fleshy, fruit-like structure which is actually part of the flower. This structure may contain both male and female blossoms, or only male or female blooms. Pollination is accomplished with the aid of a small, non-stinging wasp which enters through a small opening in the flower structure. Each species has its own particular wasp that is specifically adapted to pollinate its flowers. The true fruits that develop are very small nutlets, often held inside the fleshy flowers. Fig-filled cookies are actually stuffed with these preserved blossoms.

Many Ficus species are popular for cultivation, each with varying size, form, and leaf color. Possibly the most well-know is the common fig (Ficus carica), a shrubby species grown for centuries for its delicious fruit. Native to the Mediterranean and western Asia, this easy-to-grow plant brings a tropical look to temperate regions and works well as a specimen or in large containers. Weeping fig ( Ficus benjamina) is the definitive indoor plant in cooler zones, but becomes a large tree with aggressive roots in its native tropical habitat. Ficus pumila, or creeping fig, is a vigorous, climbing evergreen vine native to East Asia that will quickly cover multi-story buildings where hardy, requiring regular pruning to keep it in bounds.

Specific care and culture requirements vary among species, but most figs prefer evenly moist, well-drained soil, bright light and a warm, humid atmosphere. Where hardy, a few species have become invasive outside their native range, particularly when their pollinating wasps are also present to produce fertile seeds. Others may spread aggressively by roots or aerial stems, but their associated wasp is not present and spread is limited by the lack of fertile seed. Always check with local authorities about invasive species before planting figs in exterior locations.